John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
4083 Samuel Johnson 1709-1784 John Bartlett
| NUMBER: | 4083 |
| AUTHOR: | Samuel Johnson (1709–1784) |
| QUOTATION: | My friend was of opinion that when a man of rank appeared in that character [as an author], he deserved to have his merits handsomely allowed. 1 |
| ATTRIBUTION: | Life of Johnson (Boswell). 2 Vol. viii. Chap. iii. 1781. |
| Note 1. Usually quoted as “When a nobleman writes a book, he ought to be encouraged.” [back] |
| Note 2. From the London edition, 10 volumes, 1835. Dr. Johnson, it is said, when he first heard of Boswell’s intention to write a life of him, announced, with decision enough, that if he thought Boswell really meant to write his life he would prevent it by taking Boswell’s!—Thomas Carlyle: Miscellanies, Jean Paul Frederic Richter. [back] |